Claudia Ruth Barclay Stubblefield was born to Helen Edith (Norman) and Glen Barclay, on May 18, 1933, at their farm home in Northern Laclede County. She departed for her Heavenly home on Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Belle Fourche, S.D. at the home of her eldest daughter, Charla and Bill O’Dea.
On Oct. 14, 1950, Claudia married the love of her life, Charles A. Stubblefield at the First Presbyterian Church of Harrison, Ark. C.A. preceded her in death on Feb. 27, 2017, after sharing 67 years of love, laughter, and music. Also preceding in death, Claudia’s parents, great-nephew William Posten, grandson Brandon Jones, six sisters-in-law, Lorraine Fields, Helen Maxine, Leonette, Mary, Vera and Helen Louise; six brothers-in-law, Howard Stubblefield, Tommy Illuicci, Denver Waterworth, James Uder, James Fohn and Joe Robert Stubblefield.
Claudia is survived by four children, Charla Beth and husband Bill O’Dea of Belle Fourche, S.D.; Kevin Neal Stubblefield and wife Rhonda, Melissa Alayne Bollig and David Smith, all of Lebanon; Melanie Gay and husband Daniel Noakes of Nixa; grandchildren, Christopher M. and Shalan Galtenberg of Anacortes, Wash.; Benjamin S. Pluimer and Dr. Shannon Bates of North Hollywood, Calif.; Peter J. Pluimer and Rachel of Excelsior, Minn.; Kari M. and Nick Redden of Moorcroft, Wyo.; Kevin W. and Kerry O’Dea of Laramie, Wyo.; Dylan C. and Tabby Bollig of Pittsburg; Charles J. Bollig and Trevor C. Stubblefield, of Lebanon; Andrew J. and fiance’ Dior of St. Louis; Lane G. Noakes of Nixa; Bailey E. Noakes, Josh and Ayla Grace of Bastrop, Texas, and Madison P. Noakes of El Dorado Springs; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Kaleb, Liam, Maddax, Paityn, Rylan, Norah Belle and Charlie Wayne and great-great grandchildren, Brayden and Sawyer; her brother, G. Neal Barclay of Lebanon; sister-in-law, Sammie Barclay; niece Shantelle Posten and husband Troy; nephew Shannon Barclay and wife Lisa; great-nieces and nephews, Patrick and Abbee Posten; Samantha and Desi Jeramillo and sons, Jaxson and Liam; Maddison and Shawn Allison; Hunter Barclay and Kayla Francis. Also surviving are CA’s nieces and nephews, Claudia’s many cousins and dear friends Peggy Burns and Betty Esther.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Claudia made her profession of faith and was baptized at the old First Christian Church in Lebanon. She remains a 40-plus year member of the current First Christian Church, where she happily taught Sunday School classes. Claudia was the fourth generation of her family to attend the historic Old Reagan School, then graduating from Lebanon High School in 1950. For many years she coordinated reunions for both Reagan School and the 1950 LHS class. Those lifelong friendships brought much joy to her life.
Fulfilling a dream, after their four children were in school, Claudia graduated from Drury University, later obtaining a Reading Specialist Degree from SMSU. This began a teaching career of 30-plus years. Over the years, Claudia enjoyed participation in these civic organizations: Laclede County Historical Society, Friendship and Ozark Clovers 4-H Clubs, LHS Alumni Association, Lebanon Concert Association, Rainbow Garden Club, Delmar Neighbors Club, Dorcas Church Circle, Sunshine Church Circle, Stoutland PTA and Dove Extension Club. She also served terms on the University of Missouri Extension Council in Lebanon.
There were four great passions in Claudia’s life ~ God, family, music and horses. A past-president of their local saddle club, she and C.A. (with the help of 20 friends) founded the Trail Ridge Saddle Club. Beginning in 1960, C.A. and Claudia raised and sold registered Missouri Fox Trotter horses. The love of singing together began for Claudia and C.A. before 1948, and, for many years they shared their gospel and bluegrass music at churches, fund-raising and countless other events. Their Dry Glaize Bluegrass Band was privileged to perform in a six-county area of Missouri. For many years, C.A. and C.R. led music at Pleasant Grove Church near Sleeper. A free-lance writer, Claudia most enjoyed her horses, reading, flower gardening, camping and traveling to many state capitols, Civil War battlefields, museums, art galleries and Bluegrass festivals.
The greatest of pleasure was derived from all their beloved children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cooking big family dinners, entertaining with music parties, church work and the many, many horses and pets at Spring Hollow Farm. Claudia shall be forever dearly missed.
Funeral service for Claudia will be Saturday, at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023, with visitation to begin at 10:00 A.M., prior to the service at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel.
Memorials in memory of Claudia and in lieu of flowers, have been suggested to Trail Ridge Saddle Club in Stoutland and Shepherd’s Pack at First Christian Church in Lebanon, donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, P.O. Box 948, Lebanon, Mo. 65536.
Arrangements are under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel. Sign guest book at www.shadel’s colonial chapel.com
